Bimal Motors- Service Over

[WhiteKnight]

My Marutis were getting serviced by Bimal Motors in Bangalore for the last few years. This happend a few weeks back

Day 1
I was facing handling issues with my Esteem (See here ("I am Flying" feeling on Esteem above 110 KpH)). I landed up at Bimal for a wash and wheel Alignment+balancing and rotation. What I didn't tell the service adviser was that I had numbers on my tyres to see whether they really do the rotation.

I got a call at 2 PM saying that my car is ready. I gave a call back at 4.30 saying I am on the way and keep the car ready for delivery. As usual, after waiting for 30 min, service adviser appears. He promply made me do the payment, and delivery acknowledgement. The moment I signed the papers, he took me to the backside where the car was being wiped by couple of guys. I just walked around and immediately noticed that the wheel rotation was not done- All they did was to exchange the right side tyres. I also noticed that there was a strange mark on my bonnet, as if caused by thinner. I questioned both, adn my service adviser played innocent. As I was in a hurry, I said lets take the car out, and I opened the door to check the power windows. Jumped in my adviser, saying that my driver side power window switch cluster is not working. With few exchange of words he took me to a workshow further back side of the showroom, and disappeared nicely.

To cut the story short after 1 hour hanging in the shopfloor and talking to multiple mechanics, I managed to get out with my car. I felt like catching the guy straightaway, then my age prevailed over my anger.

Day 2- The service

Within a few weeks my car was due for 60,000 Kms service. With a bit of apprehension I took the car to Bimal again. This time I had a word in advance with the floor manager Mr. Ravi (he knows that I am not a newbie) about my past experience. He ensures that everything is going to be great this time. I specifically tell him to do all oil changes, including gear oil.

In the evening, I land on time to take the delivery. As usual I had called in advance telling them that I am coming. After the customary wait in the service lounge for an hour (I am used to it by now), I was able to see my car. This time I was ready to do a thorough checkup, which was unnecessary. There was a very visible mark on my A pillar, quite similar to the one I had last time. Mr. Ravi explained me about the technology used for washing cars at Bimal and was suggesting that I repaint my car anyway. After the usual verbal duel, where Mr. Ravi played the sorry faced man in the most polite way, I was sure that I am wasting time. I eventually managed to get a guy, who applied some rubbing compound and did some wipings. Things were relatively better. I was happy that my powerwindows were spared this time!!

Did I tell you they didn't do any oil changes. Why? they found the viscosity of the oil to be too good. I believe they didn't get time

Day 2 -The aftermath

Within no time, I hit the ORR at around 80 Kph. I got a shock when I touched the brake-The whole car shook, with loud noise coming from rear. I consoled myself that this could be because of the brakes being reset and things would get back to normal soon. So I spend the next few days playing (praying) around with my brakes and the idea of going back to Bimal-things remained the same.

Day 3- Over the top.

I got really busy at work and at home. So, a week went by, with me having the shaky brakes. Eventually I decided to go back one final time to Bimal. I went straight to Mr.Ravi and explain the situation. He managed to get a guy who is a "brake specialist". We went for a test drive and he confirmed the issue as "Brake shuddering". My recommendation was to use "Car shuddering"!. The car goes in, with my warnings attached

I got a call by 3 PM, from a guy who caims that he is handling the car. he claims that my drums are totally spoiled, and he wants to replace them along with some other things. He was courteous enough to say that one drum would cost 1800 Rs. Well, after all the days, I was really fuming this time. I told him that my car didn't have any brkate problem wihen I gave it for service a week back, so it is their headache to figure out and fix it, and I am NOT going to pay a single paise. He promptly cut the phone. I tried to contact Mr. Ravi, and he was, as expected, out of reach.

After half an hour I got another call, this time from a person claiming to be the shopfloor manager. Before he started to repeat the same story, I managed to shout "Do not even dare to touch my car, I am coming".

So there I was, at the shopfloor with Mr. Ravi and Shopfloor manager, and a small motly crowd. Two guys were cleaning my car with utmost urgency. The shopfloor manager says he had no idea why the issue occured only after the service
I had three questions to him
1) What did they do today? He replied, they have cleaned and reset the brakes
2) Who tested the brakes after the service? He had no answer, he said he is sure someone might have tested.
3) If they really figure out there is a problem with my brake, how came they didn't see it a week back, why now? There folows a long explanation of how the break-cleaning process works. Also, new gyan- on 60,000 Kms service, they are supposed to clean the brake drum and pad only etc

Without a word I took my car out

The Final Blow

Immediately after taking my car, I realized a drop in power. I stopped and checked the rims, yeah one drum has heated up. They had set the brakes improperly, even after all these

After a few panic calls to Psycho, who was not available, I went to my neighborhood mechanic the next day. We put the car on support, and tried to turn the wheels. Man, both rear wheers were so tight. We opened the drums, and the problem was very evident- A very badly set brake. I could clearly see the pads were not properly set. Within an hour he set the brakes, adn asked me to take a drive. The brakes were back to normal....Absolutely no issues. I have driven few hundred Kms after that and my brakes are doing well- No sign of the old problem

I am not angry, I am just curious why Bimal guys would try such tricks. As I said Mr. Ravi, they might have smiling guys at the front office, but what matters to us is who can do the job well.

[vid6639]

in bangalore i dont trust a single one of the marutis authorised service centres. ive had horrible experiences with solar automobiles which was the service centre for pratham.
mandovi loves to change every part in the car. their accident estimates are sky high.
ive not tried bimal or heard any thing abt them. RNS has its own set of horror stories.

theres one guy who i have been goin to for last 5 yrs and he generally does a good job. Surakshaa at Adugodi. he patiently listens to even teh smallest of problems never charges a paise for repeat complains. its not a great service centre but his tinkering work is very good.

[humyum]

Sirji WhiteKnight that was A VERY sad experience.I strongly suggest u call up the maruti toll free help line number and put down all your complaints against Bimal.Thats what i did when they tried to fool me(spectra motors ghatkopar) saying "800 ke brakes aise hii lagte hai" and a complaint made them promptly return my labour charges back with a very sorry name to their sevice station.Please complaint and make them held responsible for their actions.Custormers=highest priority.

[ravibhat]

I had similar type of bad experience with BIMAL, BIMAL is one of the worst dealer and service centre in Bangalore, They just run their business in keeping money in mind, I have spoken and had few email exchange with BIMAL CEO, no use at all, I feel MUL has some links with BIMAL so they are taking customers for granted.

BIMAL means "Miles of Cries not Smiles"

Regards,

Ravi.

[rjstyles69]

Originally Posted by ravibhat

I had similar type of bad experience with BIMAL, BIMAL is one of the worst dealer and service centre in Bangalore, They just run their business in keeping money in mind, I have spoken and had few email exchange with BIMAL CEO, no use at all, I feel MUL has some links with BIMAL so they are taking customers for granted.

BIMAL means "Miles of Cries not Smiles"

Regards,

Ravi.

Maybe the wrong place to post, but would request you guys to try RNS in yeshwanthpur. I have owned 2 Maruti's till date and they have been really good with regards to service.
Has been good 2 years with their dealership and no issues still date.

[Knight Rider]

Came as a shock, sorry to know about your experience. Tht's where i get my car serviced from everytime. But last time i went to bimal because I had a minor bump and saw another mechanic ripping an 800 which had k&n filter and headers,
My car has to go in for the 20k service now, I have headers and k&n in my car as well, So I am seriously thinking about giving my car to Bimal

White Knight, You can write to MUL and as far as I am aware, Customer complaints cost them points, Might give them a chance to re-consider thier options

[Ironmarine]

I used to give my car to Sagar, however, the service there too is detoriating. Now I have shifted to an authorised service centre called Nexus in New BEL road well very impresive for the past 3 services. No complaints.

[theMAG]

WhiteKnight,

You should try RNS Yeshwantpur. They're recognized as the best Maruti service center in BLR. And I vouch for that for having bought/serviced my Swift from there.

[ajmat]

Mandovi, Wilson Gardens are also highly recommended

[rjstyles69]

Originally Posted by Ironmarine

I used to give my car to Sagar, however, the service there too is detoriating. Now I have shifted to an authorised service centre called Nexus in New BEL road well very impresive for the past 3 services. No complaints.

Hey IronMarine where in BEL New Road is Nexus , heard quite a few people say that this place is pretty good. BTW i stay in Gokula , do PM and let me know.

[raghuram.cg]

Try MARS in Sanjaynagar - Ive been going to them for 4-5 years with my Zen's - they are good.They may not have the impressive customer lounge,hi tech equipment - but they do the job.
Raghu

[WhiteKnight]

Thank you all,

I am thinking about talking to Maruti about this. I am not sure whether that would make any difference though.

My current plan is to do the 60,000 service (again!) in Kerala, where my family has a service center. That's a double benefit-Service and a trip to home sweet home

[pravin_sn]

Pls call up Maruti's call center - I think its somewhere in Noida. Seems they are the only people whom Bimal Auto listens to.

I just had my Versa serviced there in Aug-06 - 3rd free service - and they have been constantly calling me up to check if I have got any feedback form from Maruti. They did this to me even after the 1st and 2nd servicing. They literally force you to give a high rating. Seems 8 or 9 is Good and 10 is excellent. They ask you what you are going to give and then ask 'why not 10'. I lost my cool after a week of constant pestering and gave them a piece of my mind. Atleast the pestering has stopped for now.

Heard 'Suraksha' on Hosur road is good. It belongs to a friend's cousin - but thats not the reason for this reco :-) Seems they are really quite good. I am planning my next servicing there. In case someone is interested, contact a guy there called Lokesh at [SIZE=1]98455 36906.
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[aravindr]

I have been giving my car for service with Surakshaa on Hosur Road for a long time and they are very good. They listen to you, make sure all the complaints are attended to and they don't charge or change things unnecessarily.

[skidMARKS]

will there be any issues if i missed the 2nd service on my new WgnR? i was thinking of replacing the engine oil from an authorized wrkshp elsewhere. is this advisable. i have now done 11000, and i have an imp meeting 600km away and req my veh to transport me . will the showroom accpet the veh at 12000 ?